Finally, the first week of university is done! We’ve checked out the classes, got freaked out by the syllabus and how much reading there is and defined the Prof as either quirky or just plain boring. Either way, it seems to be a great start of the 2009-10 year. Luckily, two of my classes have online readings so yay for not spending money on textbooks but not so yay for my eyes which will be glued yet again to my computer screen for another term.

One thing I am making my goal this year is to get involved. I cannot stress how much this changes your experience and how much more you actually want to come and be a part of University of Toronto, in all its glory. Having spent my first year in denial I hardly did anything beyond going to my classes. Last year, I figured, Why not join a hobby group? and it changed the way I see my uni experience. Meeting so many people, some of them turning into my good friends and study buddies, I suggest you go for it! It might be just the inspiration you need to finish that paper. If not, I’m sure that one of you new buddies will think of something.

With the new term being compressed, I’m sure its daunting to realize that everything is due so soon, but keeping on top of work and accepting our inner nerd is all that we can do, with a little fun on the side. Good luck for the term guys!

During study week, the Trinity College Dramatic Society (TCDS) put on production of William Shakespeare’s Henry V for its annual Shakespeare in the Quad event.  Many playgoers from within the walls of Trinity and beyond came to watch.  More photos after the jump.

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Photo courtesy of katemonkey

The Trinity College Club Women Out Loud! are hosting an event called Let’s Talk About Porn: A speaker and Q&A evening. The event is co-hosted by LGBTOUT, Good for Her, Come as You Are, the Women & Gender Studies Students’ Union, and Buck Angel Entertainment. Topics under discussion will include the effects of pornography and the adult film industry on gender, sexuality, youth culture, as well as its contribution to sexual stereotypes.

There will be four panlelists providing personal insight based on various experiences:

• Alison Lee – manager of Good For Her and organizer of the Feminist Porn awards
• Buck Angel – Adult Film Actor (AVN Transsexual Performer of the Year)
• Cory Silverberg – Certified Sex Educator and Sex Guide at About.com
• Dylan Ryan – Adult Film Actress

Please note that the event takes place in a sex positive environment. Homophobic, religion-related or any other comments deemed inappropriate for above event by moderators, will not be tolerated.

When: March 31st @ 7pm
Where: George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire Place
Cost: $5 for U of T Students, $10 for non-U of T Students

Tickets will be made available at Trinity College (in front of Strachan Hall) 12 – 2 pm and 5 – 6 pm or by email.

This Wednesday at Hart House, you’ll have the chance to celebrate Nowruz, the ancient Persian tradition of celebrating the arrival of spring, dating back to at least 3000 years ago. The event will feature classical Persian music, dance, and storytelling.

Attendees can also purchase Persian dishes as part of Hart House 5-Buck Lunch program. A sample of the menu:

• Khoresht-e Fesenjan (Iranian stew with chicken, pomegranate sauce and walnuts)
• Zereshk Polo Ba Morgh (barberry and zaffron rice with chicken)
• Kookoo Sibzamini (potato patties)
• Shevid Baghali Polo (lime bean with dill rice)
• Shirazi Salad (made with tomato, cucumber, onion and lemon juice).

This event is organized by Hart House, the Iranian Association at U of T (IAUT) and the Iranian Student Union at U of T (ISU).

What: The 5-buck special lunch (Persian dishes)
When: March 25, 11:45 am – 2 pm (5-buck lunch), 2pm-3pm (Iranian Art Performance)
Where: The Great Hall (5-buck lunch), Music Room (Iranian Art Performance) in Hart House

For more information and a schedule of events, see the IAUT website.

U of T’s own engineering orchestra will be hosting the 3rd annual Symphonic Boom this April.

Enjoy a night of great music from Skule Orchestra and Skule Choir, including Dvorak Symphony No.9 – From the New World and The Schumann Piano Concerto in A.

Tickets are $8 for general admission and $4 for students.

For more info, see the Facebook event

What: Symphonic Boom
When: Wednesday April 1 @ 7 PM
Where: The Church of the Redeemer, 162 Bloor Street West (at Queen’s Park)

You are cordially invited to Moment, the Valentine’s Ball, featuring a complementary waltzing lesson from a professional dance instructor, live music from the Skule Orchestra, and sumptuous hors d’oeuvres catered by Hart House Catering. You can have your photo taken with someone special by a professional photographer, and buy a fair trade rose from Engineers Without Borders.

Find out more at moment.skule.ca or Facebook.

What: Moment, the Valentine’s Ball
Where: Hart House Great Hall
When: February 13
Cost: $35/person

As part of UTSU’s Expression Against Oppression Week, Teachers Without Borders – U of T Chapter has invited Marissa Izma of Same World Same Chance to showcase a documentary and have a talk about the education system in Zambia.

Marissa Izma, on behalf of Faith Orphanage Foundation, has dedicated herself to the development of a supreme high school in rural Zambia.

*Refreshments will be served*

For more information about the project, check out http://www.sameworldsamechance.org

What: Same World, Same Chance: Documentary and Discussion
Where: Sidney Smith, Room 2120
When: 3:30- 5:00pm, Friday, Jan. 30th, 2009
Cost: Free
Who: Everyone
Facebook event: here
Contact: http://twb.sa.utoronto.ca